Wednesday, March 30, 2011

{How cute are my parents?? This is when they were probably around my age... }

It's my Momma's birthday! Everyday I thank my lucky stars for her. I'm so thankful to be able to call her one of my best friends. I can tell her anything and know she will always give me her honest opinion {whether I want to hear it or not!}. She always supports me and my crazy thoughts and endeavors. She's beautiful, strong, honest, driven, creative, and just absolutely amazing. I pray everyday that I make her proud and that I grow up {yes, yes I know I'm grown...but ya know what I mean!} to be the amazing wife, mother, and friend that she is. Happy Birthday, Mom!

It's miss @megroso's birthday today too! Pop on over to her twitter or blog and leave her some Happy Birthday love! I've known this girl for years! But we have only recently reconnected thru our creative goals. She's such a great girl! Always smiling, keeping people motivated, and a just a true breath of fresh air! Happy Birthday, Meg!

It's also @designsbymandi's birthday! I met her through Meg. We instantly connected with our love for fashion and all things sparkly and beautiful! Mandi has a fabulous online jewelry boutique, make sure you pop over and shop around, check out her blog, and leave her some Happy Birthday wishes as well! Happy Birthday, Mandi!

HAPPY birthday to anyone else who is celebrating their birthday today!!

Monday, March 28, 2011

...just means leaving me alone. When I heard this song by Sara Evans it really struck me. It was like I had one of those "Ah ha" moments... ever have those? When all of the sudden things start to make a little bit more sense...

I know they're just song lyrics, but they really hit home to me. The entire song is beautiful and heart wrenching.

So for Music Monday... I recommend Sara Evans' new album, Stronger. It's beyond amazing. If you like country music - check her out! If you don't like country music - still check her out... ;)

I'm gonna check out Adele this week... I've heard a lot of rave reviews about her! Who else should I listen to??

After Missy and I were out and about all day, I met up with Laura, AJ, and Bub. We went to dinner and the Funny Bone {we saw Bob Marley and he was hysterical!}

What we ate all day...

We tried out Press Grill in the short north for lunch and it was delicious! I had an OYO {Ohio distilled vodka} and cranberry and we ordered the white pizza. So, so, so good... if you haven't tried it... you need to!

Where we went all day...

We were going to check out the boutique reduction sale but when we got there the line was wrapped around the block and it was cold out. So we didn't go... from what I've heard we didn't miss too much. Then we went and checked out On Paper in the short north. It's a stationary store and it's so cute! I got a piece of Paris wrapping paper that I'm going to frame and put in my room. Yay! We checked out a bakery that had lots of yum yums but nothing that sounded great at the time... so I resisted {shockingly!}.

So that was my Saturday... How was yours?

I've had a pretty productive Sunday as well. I'm going to work on some sewing tonight, I have some alterations to do, another duvet cover, and a couple scarves to make.

Friday, March 25, 2011

I want a pink house. Particularly one without the Simple Life and E! logo's but... beggars can't be choosers, right? ;)

But in all complete seriousness... I want this. How adorable is it? As long as I can remember I have always wanted a pink house. I also want it to be older with some character and history to it. There's this beautiful, pink, old home in DT Lancaster and every time I pass it I wish it were out in the country somewhere, and that I lived there.

I want this bedroom in my pink house. How cozy does this look?? It's perfect: vintagey, floral, bright, and inviting. Makes me wanna crawl in this bed and read on a rainy afternoon or cuddle with my hubby, bf, cat...whoever. ahh...haha.

Who doesn't want a back porch like this? Oh, I know I do. Perfect place for coffee and the newspaper in the morning. Dinner with friends and family in the evening. And late night glasses of wine and chatting with your bests.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

I completely enjoy cooking - it's one of my favorite things to do. It's a stress reliever on so many levels. I'm not much for following recipes at all. I'm always tampering with something... trying something a little different than before... until I've came up with some killer {and by killer, I mean something that gets specifically requested by someone over and over again... to me, thats a sign of an amazing meal.} My zucchini pizza with semi-homemade crust and sauce is a new favorite so I thought I'd share it with you all!

Preheat the oven to 450. I use a 12x9 baking sheet {which is why I use 2 bags of crust, and I like the crust a tad bit thicker - adjust according to your liking.} Make sure to spray the pan w/cooking spray.

Mix the crust according to the back of the package {usually just mix with 1/2 c. HOT water per crust packet}. I always add in about 2 tbsp. of garlic, 1 tbsp. of sugar {or sweetner} , salt, pepper, and a few sprinkles of italian seasoning. Mix with a fork. Once mixed completely {will probably be a bit gooey} form into a ball and drizzle 1 tbsp. of olive oil over it. Cover with paper towel and set in a warm area for about 5 minutes.

While waiting for the dough to rise I go ahead and mix up the sauce and butter mixture. You will need two small mixing bowls for this. Combine the tomato sauce and tomato paste in one bowl. Add 2 tbsp. of garlic, 2 tbsp. of sugar, salt pepper, and italian seasoning {it is very important at this point to taste the sauce. Adjust the seasoning according to your tastes... and continue adding or take out whatever you'd like. Again, this recipe is tailored to my tastes. :)} Once you have the sauce to where you like it begin with the butter mixture. Place the softened butter in the bowl and mix with 2 tbsp. of garlic. Stir. And it's all ready!

After the 5 minutes is up, take the crust and place it on the greased pan. Spread it out to the corners. Prick with a fork all over the dough. Bake this for another 5 minutes. While the crust is baking slice your zucchini and squash into thin circular pieces.

Once the pizza crust is finished it's time to add the toppings!! First spread the butter mixture around the edges. Then do the normal... sauce, cheese {and add the gorgonzola on top of the italian cheese}, a dash of garlic, then place the zucchini evenly all over the pizza. Pop it into the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the cheese starts to bubble and the zucchini looks done.

This is what it should look like.

Now, pour yourself a glass of wine. You deserve it. {This was my favorite for the night, Moscato is delicious!}

Slice it up to your liking... and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy this pizza as much as I do. And it's just as fun and easy to make as it is to eat.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Not me! I think an assortment of great neutral and nude pieces in one's wardrobe allows so many mix and match options. You can pair any of these pieces with absolutely any other color {even other neutral shades}. I think the tshirt {3} would be adorable with a bright blue skirt and flats for a day out shopping and running errands. Or the lace dress {13} with a pair of bright heels or wedges would be perfect for a date night. These pieces act as perfect blank canvases.

2. the earrings -- bronze shadow earrings from Designs by Mandi. $17.00 (Mandi is a friend of mine who's boutique has some fabulous jewelry. I LOVE my ring from her! Check her out on twitter too @designsbymandi}

I hope this gives you some ideas on all the neutral items you can mix into your wardrobe. Pieces like this are very classic and timeless. They won't go out of style and you will be able to wear them so many different ways.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

I love sewing. Constructing. Pattern making. Anything that involves being creative with fabric, it's been a love of mine for as long as I can remember. I took sewing in 4-H. Was a fashion/product development major in college and have sewn countless things throughout my life.

About 4 years ago I got a brand new sewing machine for Christmas. It doesn't have many miles on it though... I thought it was broken... but low and behold, I was just having a huge blonde moment {I can say that, cause I'm blonde ;)}. It wasn't broken, I just didn't look at something correctly. Silly me!

However... NOW I have my sewing machine in working order and I don't have to borrow anyones. {YAYYYYYYY...I'm seriously doing a happy dance!} My head is filling to the brim with new ideas to work on. Sunday I worked on fixing an antique quilt my great grandma made... It looks great now! And last night I began working on some pillows for our living room {the coral and leopard print} and for my bedroom {the patchwork}.

I have so many projects I want to work on - I can't wait to share them {and maybe sell them} with you all!!

Sunday, March 20, 2011

I spent my Saturday at home in the country... it was a much needed getaway from the city. I only grew up 45 minutes outside of Columbus but the difference between country and city are lightyears. My day was very relaxed; hung out with my momma, birthday dinner with the family, and a night playing cards and having a couple of beers with the boys. I treasure those kinds of days... and I didn't have much phone service and that was very refreshing. It's amazing what a little "unplugged" time can do for the soul.

Here's my Saturday in photos...

My room at home. I always manage to make it messy as soon as I get there. Oops!

My mom and I went to the Olde Shoe Factory and antique shopped. Such inspiring stuff -- made me really want to redecorate everything!

Loved this vintage sewing machine!

Very pretty displays.

Panera for lunch -- tried the Thai chicken salad -- SOOO good and very healthy!!!

Got my Starbucks fix, of course.

Went with Mom to get her hair done!

Saturday afternoon nap time.

The view from the family room. Love.

How I spent my afternoon. Relaxing. Self magazine. Reading. Blogging.

They didn't sell beer.

2nd time's a charm.

This is where we hung out. {I wasn't completely dressed for the occasion in a sweater, leggings, and flats...but I made do... as always.}

I was cold -- they put the stove together so I'd stop complaining. They love me...

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Right now I'm obsessed with anything floral - I'm even sporting a wildflower layering tank today. There isn't a print that screams, "HELLLLLOOOO, SPRING!" like floral does. Here's a few of my favorites...

6. the canvas -- sweet paisley in coral from AisletoAloha Studio on Etsy. $25.00 (She's another creative Twitter girlie. {and TODAY is her birthday!} Make sure to check out her shop and on Twitter {@aisletoaloha})

Thursday, March 17, 2011

...you'll get pinched! Are you wearing green?? Happy St. Patricks Day, loves!! Whether or not you are going to acknowledge this holiday (I'm not. Last year my ladies and I went and watched one of our favorite bands play at an Irish bar. It was a lot of fun, but they aren't returning this year so we decided to ignore the holiday in protest! Yea, the Dots don't really care... but we do really miss them!) Anyhow... you still can't deny all the green around you!

Let's face it -- it's a holiday (ish) and none of us are really in the mood for a deep, thought provoking blog, right? Ok, ok, so I'm not really in the mood to write one today, deal with it. ;-) There's way too much green food, beer, and celebration to be had to focus on the nitty gritty!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I love the maxi skirt trend. I've been playing with different ways to wear it and thought I'd share a simple style board I put together. This ensemble is very easy, comfortable, and easily transitioned from day to evening.

Maxi skirts can easily be translated as dowdy and boring, but if you add bright pops of color such as the aqua top and the mustard necklace it keeps the maxi skirt youthful and fresh. Finishing the outfit with nude wedges helps to elongate the body and bring all the pieces together.

I envision wearing this for a late spring day out with the girls; brunch, shopping, and sight seeing. Such a pretty, simple, and stylish outfit.

about me.

I'm a lot bit country and a lil bit city. I embrace the things that have made me the girl that I am. I adore my family and friends. I throw myself into anything that I can use my creativity on. I love fashion, beauty, and interior design. I am me... no exceptions or apologies.